LOGINClassira’s POVThe men attacking me came with full force, I could see it in their cold, unrelenting eyes that they already decided I wouldn’t leave that place alive. The first blow came before I could defend myself. The metallic sting of a baton cracked against my arm, and pain shot through me so sharply I thought my bones might split. I tried to run, but another hit caught the back of my head. The world tilted violently, my vision blurring into colors that made no sense.When I opened my eyes again, everything was white. My head throbbed, and my mouth was dry as paper. It took me a moment to understand I was in a hospital. I turned my head slightly, and that’s when I saw Dante standing by the window, his arms folded tightly across his chest, his expression caught somewhere between anger and worry.“You shouldn’t have gone to meet them alone,” he said, his tone sharp but low. His eyes flicked toward me, then back to the floor, as if he was fighting to keep his temper contained.I want
Classira’s POVI shouldn’t have come alone or I should at least called Dante. That thought kept hammering in my head as I made my way through the crowded street, clutching the strap of my bag tighter. I stopped to catch my breath and noticed something. Someone was following me. I’d first noticed him when I turned off the main road, a bike man idling a few feet behind. He didn’t seem in a hurry to overtake me, just keeping a steady pace. When I crossed the street abruptly, he crossed too. When I took another turn, he followed. My heart began to race, I walked faster and he followed suit.By the time I reached the café the lawyer had told me to meet him at, my heart was already racing with the thoughts of who he was. I wasn't sure if Nicho had sent the man . I stopped at the entrance and glanced back. The bike man had stopped too, leaning casually against his bike, pretending to check his phone. My stomach twisted. I pushed through the café doors and found a seat by the window, prete
Clarissa’s POVIt was a call from Dante telling me he was just in front of the door. I wasn't surprised because I had suddenly become used to Dante always running to me whenever I needed help. I opened the door to find him holding two paper bags. “You're hungry?” He asked with a smile before stepping into the house.“Burgers and samosas, my favourite.” I gleamed with delight as I immediately started unpacking and having a bite.Dante laughed so hard, I knew he was enjoying having fun watching me go crazy for food.“What if I fail?” I asked softly, my voice almost laced with pain as my face suddenly turned pale. The tiny bites of samosas in my mouth were suddenly bitter. “What if I can’t win against him?”Dante didn’t answer right away. He took a bite from the burger as he watched me carefully. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm.“You’re fighting, Cass,” he said. “That’s more than most ever do. A lot of women in your position would have stayed quiet, endured it, convinced themse
Clarissa’s POVDante stood by the window with his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in a low voice. I sat on the couch, trying to focus on the quiet hum of the refrigerator instead of the uneasiness that had been building in my chest since the last message I got earlier that morning. When he finally ended the call, he turned to me with that same reassuring look he always had.“I’ve spoken to a friend,” he said. “There’s a property about thirty minutes away from here. It’s private, secure, and in a quiet area. I’ll have everything arranged. It should be ready in about five days at most.”I straightened in my seat. “Five days? That’s fast.”He nodded. “They owe me a favor. It’ll be fitted with cameras, coded locks, the whole setup. You’ll be safe there.”“That sounds… good. But Dante, I can pay for it. You’ve done enough already.”He shook his head immediately. “No. You’re not paying for it. It’s the least I can do.”“That’s not right,” I said, folding my arms. “You’ve been running
ClarissaI reached deeper into my purse and pulled out a different card. My own card.What Nicho never realized while he was too busy controlling everything—I had been quietly saving. Every birthday gift, freelance job, side hustle, spare cash. Little by little, I built a personal account. And now? It had more than enough.I inserted the card.Approved.I gave the cashier a sweet smile. “Guess that one works.”She handed me the bags. “Have a nice day.”“Oh, trust me,” I said, “I will.”After paying for the groceries, I was walked to the car when everything was finally set in the trunk, I got into the car and drove off in the direction of home. I arrived home and began taking everything I bought into the house. I had just set the last grocery bag on the kitchen counter when my phone started ringing. I glanced at the screen. It was David Langston. Nicho’s smug, overpaid lawyer.I groaned. “Of course.”I answered on speaker, too exhausted to even hold the phone to my ear. “What do you
Clarissa“You’re Clarissa Stone,” Dante said behind me, “The same girl who built a treehouse with me when we were ten. The girl who told off that teacher for calling me dumb. You’re brave. And stubborn. And real. You’re just… buried under years of bullshit.”I turned back to face him. “Then help me dig.”“Always.”There was a silence then, not awkward—just filled with old memories and fresh possibilities. Dante stepped closer and gently reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear like he used to when we were kids pretending not to have crushes on each other.I didn’t lean in. Neither did he. He pulled back. “I’ll go now. Let you settle.”“Will you come back?”“Only if you want me to.”“I do.”He nodded once, slowly, and smiled. “Then I’ll bring dinner tomorrow. Something spicy. Something that’ll burn away every memory of that bastard.”I laughed again, and this time it reached my eyes. As the door clicked shut behind him, I finally let myself breathe. Not just inhale. But bre







